And that prompted New Zealand actor Jay Laga’aia, recently cut from the cast of long-running soap Home and Away, to rail against perceived racism in Australian television, making his rage known in three angry tweets that included an attack on Channel Seven.

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Dirani, who came to prominence in Channel Nine’s Underbelly: The Golden Mile, said characters on Australian TV programs did not reflect the nation’s racial mix.

Hitting out . . . Jay Laga'aia.

‘‘When you walk down Sydney streets you see so many different cultures and so many different people. Our TVs haven’t reflected that yet,’’ he said.

‘‘American TV, British TV, have shows with different nationalities — and they’re not just putting different nationalities up for a point of difference, they’re creating work that caters for actors of different backgrounds.’’

Laga’aia criticised the networks for producing what he described as mono-racial content.

‘‘As someone who lost his job on H&A because they couldnt write two ethnics that weren’t together, I’d like a chance to ply my trade freely,’’ he tweeted.

Laga'aia in a scene from Home and Away.

‘‘Hats off to you Firass Dirani, for a call to stop commercial network producers casting only white actors. Only on Australian screens. Shame!’’

Laga’aia, born in Auckland and of Samoan descent, also hit out on what he called racial tokenism on Australian TV.

‘‘I think commercial TV should take a leaf out of children’s TV in this country. We are a rainbow nation in kids TV. No tokens here,’’ he wrote on the microblogging site.

Laga’aia played the Reverend Elijah Johnson for 18 months before finishing at the end of last year, although he will continue to be seen on Australian television until April.

I think commercial TV should take a leaf out of children's TV in this country. We are a rainbow nation in kids' TV. No tokens here

In a written statement, a Seven spokesman said that ‘‘Jay’s comments are offensive...

"We have great regard for Jay and his work on Home and Away during the last two years. It is insulting to suggest that Home and Away is racist."

Laga’aia’s big break into Australian television came with regular appearances as Senior Constable Tommy Tavita on the police drama Water Rats.

In New Zealand he starred as maverick lawyer David Silesi, always on the side of the underdog, in the series Street Legal.

Other roles have included appearances in two Star Wars movies as Captain Typho.